The Women in Leadership Conference brings together professional women to talk about the challenges that they face, exchange views, and learn from peers and leaders.

The event provides an invaluable opportunity to listen to industry leaders as they share best practices and insights to help women in leadership roles become more effective leaders and be on top of their game.

Join us at this in-person event. Learn, connect & reconnect, and have fun!

SHEILA DODDS (Keynote Speaker)
Acting Auditor General
Office of the Auditor General of BC

Making tough decisions with integrity

“Integrity is not just doing the right thing; it’s doing the right thing for the right reason.” –  Maya Angelou. Leaders have a responsibility to make tough decisions and with that responsibility comes accountability for those decisions. Integrity in decision-making is critical to:

• • Align decisions with your values and ethics
• • Build trust and credibility with your team
• • Promote long-term success for your organization

Dr. LYNN STEVENSON
Interim President and CEO
Fraser Health

The power of voice: From the bedside to the boardroom

The presentation will touch on Dr. Lynn Stevenson’s personal path to developing her voice. As with many leadership skills, it is not a straight path but more circuitous and informed by experience and context. Her early years framed her transition to leadership, which in turn shaped her voice today. Dr. Stevenson will touch on:

• • Finding her voice – developmental/experiential
• • Strategic use of voice and silence
• • Practical takeaways to reflect on whether you are maximizing your voice

BROOKE MOSS
Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer
Pacific Blue Cross

Inspiring through transformational leadership

Leading through change is tough, and when the change is transformational, it can feel like the ground is shifting under you. There’s more uncertainty, more pressure, and a lot of moments that push you out of your comfort zone. In this session, Brooke Moss will share how she’s using transformational leadership to navigate those moments, build trust, and keep people moving forward during big shifts.

• • Why transformational change calls for different leadership approaches — and how to know what’s needed when
• • Ideas on how to lead different audiences through change, even in resistant or uncertain environments
• • How to find and strengthen your voice as a transformational leader

BUKKIE ADEWUYI
VP Internal Audit and Risk Advisory
Aritzia

Practicing reflection in leadership

Effective leadership benefits from reflection, allowing leaders to pause and evaluate their actions. This process helps clarify values and ensure alignment with organizational goals. Reflective practices foster leadership guided by purpose.

• • Self-awareness and personal growth 
• • Aligning actions with goals
• • More thoughtful decision-making

LYDIA TAY
Vice President, People & Culture
Norland Limited

Navigating tough talks

Difficult conversations are an inevitable part of people leadership. Whether you’re delivering feedback, addressing a conflict, or navigating a sensitive issue, how you communicate matters as much as what you say. The ability to handle tough talks can prevent misunderstandings and open the door to stronger relationships.

• • Common challenging conversations you’ll come across in the workplace (or elsewhere!)
• • Skills and strategies to manage the participants, including yourself
• • How to upskill those around you

CAROL BELLRINGER
Deputy Ferry Commissioner
BC Ferry Commission

Succeeding as a board director

There is no doubt that not all boards are created equal! However, good governance practices apply to organizations in all sectors, of all sizes, and in all circumstances. Carol Bellringer will share her personal experiences on boards for public and private sector organizations, for regulatory bodies and for the international accounting profession and reflect on:

• • The good, the bad, and the ugly of governance structures and processes
• • How to work collaboratively with board colleagues, but when to step away
• • What signals a looming crisis, and what to do about it if it hits

CATHERINE DANGERFIELD
VP & Region Head, Pacific
TD Wealth

The power of volunteerism

In addition to Catherine Dangerfield’s paid work, she has always been a very active volunteer in her community, which, over the years, has included community-based organizations and non-profits in a wide range of sectors. Giving back to her communities is core to her values and enriches her well-being as much as she hopes her skills enrich the organizations that she works with. Over many years of volunteering, she has learned many lessons about how to make the most of the time she spends in the community, and she welcomes the opportunity to share some of those lessons.

• • Building and nurturing your network
• • Values alignment
• • Education

LAURA VAAJANTO
Chief Risk Officer
City of Vancouver

Mentorship in Leadership

Mentorship in leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula — it’s a spectrum of relationships that foster growth, courage, and reflection. Laura Vajanto has been fortunate to receive support from formal mentors, inspiring peers, and supervisors who cared deeply about her journey. Each one taught her something different — not only about leadership, but about what it means to truly show up for someone, sharpening her self-awareness, building resilience, accelerating her career, and rooting her in a community of trust. This session explores:

• • What it means to be a mentor
• • The impact
• • The variety of mentors

PAULINE KEMP
VP, Claims Material Damage & Driver Licensing Operations (Interim)
ICBC

The importance of lifelong learning

Career planning can seem a daunting task, particularly when balancing career and family commitments. Pauline Kemp’s approach is grounded in lifelong learning, leadership theory and putting that theory into practice for her own personal life and career goals. Pauline shares:

• • Her passion for learning
• • Why it’s more difficult for women
• • Business models that can be utilized as personal frameworks for development

TRACI CHUNG (Morning Chair)
SVP, Branch Director – BC Region
Robert Half

KATHY PARSLOW (Afternoon Chair)
Founder and CEO
Pause Collective Inc.